HSBC SVNS: New Zealand, France and Australia's women dominate day one in Hong Kong

The HSBC SVNS top three women's team show why they hold the podium places with impressive displays on day one at the stunning new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.

POOL A: Black Ferns favourite nears century

Captain Sarah Hirini guided New Zealand to wins over China and USA and helped herself to two tries along the way as she took her personal tally to 99. The Black Ferns were too good for China as evidenced by the 45-0 final score, but USA, earlier 31-12 victors over Brazil, gave them a stiffer test in the final women's match of the opening day.

Speed merchants Michaela Brake and Ariana Ramsey traded early tries for New Zealand and USA respectively before Hirini's brace gave her team a 21-7 half-time advantage. Brake and Jazmin Felix-Hotham added more while pocket rocket Nia Toliver and Kristi Kirshe ran over for USA, the latter running the length of the pristine pitch while New Zealand awaited the ref's whistle for a knock-on.

"This atmosphere is exactly why we play the sport," Felix-Hotham said after the match. "To play in a new stadium but to have the same feel as the sevens of old, in Hong Kong they value sevens so much. We appreciate that."

USA and Brazil sit on three points, both three behind New Zealand. Yasmim Soares and Thalia Do Silva Costa were the show-stoppers again for the South Americans, scoring two apiece in a 36-10 win over China.

USA round off their pool stage matches on Saturday against China, before Brazil take on New Zealand.

POOL B: France quell Great Britain and Fiji fightbacks

Great Britain and Fiji are well placed to compete for a place in the quarter-finals later on Saturday, but it is pool leaders France who are out in front in Pool B. Alycia Christiaens' opening try looked to have sent Les Bleus on their way to a win over Britain yet they trailed when Georgie Lingham and Reneeqa Bonner scored to put the Brits ahead.

With Britain's men having beaten France earlier, the French women managed to avoid a double defeat thanks to a second by Christiaens and Valentine Lothoz crossing for a 22-12 victory.

It was Christiaens' speed that made the difference early on when France faced Fiji. She scored one then popped a pass to Rose Marie Fiafialoto for her team-mate to go over ahead of a Hawa Tounkara try. Yet Fijiana flew back into the match in the second half, with their fans in the north stand celebrating a monster run by Sesenieli Donu and a score by Vika Nakacia. Tounkara sealed the win for France, though, 24-14 the final score.

Great Britain and Fiji's pool wins came against Ireland. Scores by Emma Uren, Lauren Torley and two by speedster Grace Crompton gave Britain a 28-17 win after Fiji had secured a 26-17 victory. Ireland may be 10th in the overall standings but they will take confidence from scoring 34 points in their two outings. Katie Whelan's determination was enough to hold off three Fijian tacklers as she scored to give the Irish a 17-12 lead but Lavena Cavuru and Verenaisi Ditavutu turned the tie in Fiji's savour.

POOL C: Maddison Levi stars as Australia make it two wins from two

The pink boots of Maddison Levi moving rapidly across the turf spelled trouble for Australia's opponents, Spain and Canada.

Against Spain she scored a hat-trick. Facing Canada, Levi moved ahead of Charlotte Caslick on the Australian try-scoring chart, touching down on either wing to overturn the lead created by Olivia Apps before adding tries either side of the interval to stretch her record to 189.

At the other end of the scale, Taylor Perry scored her first try for Canada, dotting down from close range in her team's 26-15 loss.

Japan sit on four points in the pool. They lost 24-17 to Canada in the opening match of the weekend but dusted themselves down from that, and a 19-12 deficit against their next opponents, Spain, to win 24-19. Skipper Honoka Tsutsumi, Marin Kajiki, Suzuha Okamoto and Yukino Tsujisaki got on the scoresheet for the Sakura Sevens.